Prestar Packaging’s Pop-Up Gift Box Named The Coolest Thing Made in Virginia
RICHMOND, VA — The Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Virginia Manufacturing Cup, the statewide competition to find The Coolest Thing Made in Virginia. This annual contest celebrates innovation, craftsmanship, and the incredible products manufactured right here in the Commonwealth.
This year’s competition drew over 100 nominations, featured 89 competitors across 11 categories, and generated nearly 50K votes—a response that reflects the pride and enthusiasm for manufacturing in Virginia.
“The Virginia Manufacturing Cup serves as a powerful way to engage communities, manufacturing teams, and industry allies in supporting Virginia’s manufacturing sector,” said Brett Vassey, President & CEO of the Virginia Manufacturers Association. “The competition spotlights regional innovation and fosters pride in the companies that drive economic growth and create jobs across the Commonwealth.”
The winners of the competition were announced on Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Virginia Manufacturing Gala, the Virginia Manufacturers Association’s premier manufacturing event of the year. Together, representatives from the VMA, this year’s competition sponsor, ERA Group, and The Honorable Secretary Slater announced the category winners and products that took home gold, silver, and bronze overall.
Prestar Packaging took home the top honor as The Coolest Thing Made in Virginia, earning recognition for its Pop-Up Gift Card Box. Earning silver in Best in Show, Oak Hall impressed voters with its Greenweaver Cap & Gown. Finally, Acoustical Sheetmetal Company brought home the bronze award for Best in Show with its Generator Enclosure. Thirty-three finalists across 11 categories were also announced at the Virginia Manufacturing Gala, each demonstrating the strength and creativity of Virginia’s manufacturing industry.
Join the Virginia Manufacturers Association in congratulating the 2025 winners of the Virginia Manufacturing Cup, the competition to name The Coolest Thing Made in Virginia.
Best in Show
1st Place & The Coolest Thing Made in Virginia | Pop-Up Gift Card Box by Prestar Packaging
The Pop-Up Gift Card Box, Prestar Packaging’s flagship customizable product made in Christiansburg, is The Coolest Thing Made in Virginia.
2nd Place | Greenweaver Cap & Gown by Oak Hall
Oak Hall came in second place with its Greenweaver Cap & Gown product line, made from recycled plastic bottles and worn by graduates from across the United States. Manufactured in Salem.
3rd Place | Generator Enclosure by Acoustical Sheetmetal Company
Acoustical Sheetmetal Company rounds out the top three with its Generator Enclosure, which provides on-site power integration for large-scale data centers. Manufactured in Virginia Beach.
Category Winners
Chemicals & Allied Products, & Pharmaceutical Products
Gold | Recycled Toner Pellets by Canon Environmental Technologies, Inc.
Recycled Toner Pellets are sold and used as a binder and coloring agent in asphalt. Manufactured in Newport News.
Silver | Sulf-N® Ammonium Sulfate by AdvanSix
Sulf-N® fertilizer provides farmers with essential plant nutrients to grow crops and feed communities. Manufactured in Hopewell.
Bronze | All Natural Cleaning Vinegar Wipes by White House Foods
All Natural Cleaning Vinegar Wipes feature a calming lavender scent and are ideal for use as a multipurpose cleaner. Manufactured in Winchester.
Fabricated Metal Products
Gold | Generator Enclosure by Acoustical Sheetmetal Company
The Generator Enclosure offers sound-damping and weather-protective packaging for on-site power generation equipment. Manufactured in Virginia Beach.
Silver | Industrial Heat Exchanger by Super Radiator Coils
This custom-designed heat recovery system is engineered to withstand temperatures up to 1500°F and operates in a Hypersonic Wind Tunnel, simulating speeds up to 5x the speed of sound. The Industrial Heat Exchanger is designed to thrive in the most extreme environments on Earth. Manufactured in Chesterfield.
Bronze | Mining Fan by Paul’s Fan Company
The Mining Fan is a custom-engineered, 8-foot, heavy-duty ventilation fan for the mining industry, designed to meet specific airflow requirements for coal, metal, and non-metal mines. Manufactured in Grundy.
Food, Beverage, & Tobacco Products
Gold | Virginia Artesian Water by Virginia Artesian
Artesian Water is bottled at the source in plastic, glass, and aluminum. Virginia Artesian Water specializes in private labeling and ships across the East Coast. Manufactured in Mechanicsville.
Silver | Hometown Original Bacon by Smithfield Foods
Hometown Original Bacon is naturally hickory-smoked using time-honored methods and brings a rich, savory depth to any meal, from breakfast classics to gourmet creations. Manufactured in Smithfield.
Bronze | Banana Pudding Ice Cream Sandwich by Nightingale Ice Cream
The Banana Pudding Ice Cream Sandwich is handcrafted with a fresh-baked, golden-crusted brown-sugar cookie, fresh banana pudding ice cream, and vanilla wafers. Manufactured in Richmond.
Furniture & Wood Products
Gold | Custom Entry Table by Gaithersburg Architectural Millwork-Metal
The Custom Entry Table is a handcrafted piece featuring upcycled metal support legs in a striking turquoise mist powder-coated, high-gloss finish. The tabletop is quarter-sawn Douglas Fir, which is indigenous to the western United States. Manufactured in Warrenton.
Silver | Water Lubricated Bearing by Lignum Vitae
Lignum Vitae provides custom-engineered bearings made from the world’s hardest wood, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional materials. Used in hydro, marine, and industrial applications, this durable bearing delivers superior performance and longevity compared to conventional materials such as composites, plastics, and oil-lubricated metals. Manufactured in Powhatan.
Bronze | 754 Washed White Finish King Dovetail Bed by Vaughan Bassett Furniture
The 754 Washed White Finish King Dovetail Bed is from the Tide & Timber Collection. Manufactured in Galax.
Industrial & Commercial Machinery, Equipment, & Instruments
Gold | BRA 600 Battery-Powered Backpack Blower by STIHL
The BRA 600 Battery-Powered Backpack Blower features an exceptional power-to-weight ratio for heavy-duty work and optimal operator comfort. The radial fan motor uses a Noise Reduction System that allows it to operate in noise-sensitive areas. Manufactured in Virginia Beach.
Silver | IN Series Tray Sealers by Ross Industries
IN Series Tray Sealers prolong the shelf life of fresh, refrigerated, and frozen foods. Manufactured in Midland.
Bronze | T 264 Diesel Electric Mining Truck by Liebherr Mining Equipment
The T 264 Diesel Electric Mining Truck offers class-leading technology, including autonomous haulage capabilities, and is used on mine sites around the world. Manufactured in Newport News.
Miscellaneous Products
Gold | GL16 Liner by IMPREG
The GL16 Liner adds 50+ years of service life to a damaged gravity sewer or storm pipe without the disruption of excavation. Manufactured in Richmond.
Silver | TAPESTRY Biointegrative Implant by Embody LLC, a Zimmer Biomet Company
The TAPESTRY Biointegrative Implant is an advanced biointegrative scaffold that promotes natural tissue healing and regeneration for soft tissue repair. Manufactured in Norfolk.
Bronze | Organic Olive Oil Layer Feed by New Country Organics
Organic Olive Oil Layer Feed is a certified poultry feed enriched with olive oil for improved nutrition, egg quality, and flock health. Manufactured in Waynesboro.
Primary Metal Industries Products
Gold | Lightning Rod by Service Center Metals
The Lightning Rod is made with industry-leading mechanical minimums (48 ksi UTS) and engineered for superior machinability. Manufactured in Prince George.
Silver | ALPOLIC Metal Composite Materials in Timber Finish by ALPOLIC
ALPOLIC Metal Composite Materials in Timber Finish offers the look of genuine timber patterns on architectural cladding, without the weight or maintenance of real wood. Manufactured in Chesapeake.
Bronze | KaiserSelect Ultra Precision Rod by Kaiser Aluminum
The KaiserSelect Ultra Precision Rod is designed for demanding applications, offering a uniform grain structure for superior machinability, smoother surface finishes, and excellent anodize response. Manufactured in Richmond.
Print Publishing & Paper Products
Gold | Pop-Up Gift Card Box by Prestar Packaging
The Pop-Up Gift Card Box is Prestar Packaging’s flagship product and features a clamshell box that opens to reveal a gift card in a pop-up insert, which can be customized. Manufactured in Christiansburg.
Silver | PharmaLock by Smurfit Westrock
PharmaLock keeps medicine safe from kids, easy for seniors, and is kind to the planet. It’s tear-resistant, heat-sealable, and totally awesome paperboard. Made in Low Moor.
Bronze | Foil & Scent Envelope by Kenmore Envelope Company
The Foil & Scent Envelope is a direct mailing envelope for the holiday season, printed with foil and accented with peppermint-scented ink. Manufactured in Richmond.
Rubber & Miscellaneous Plastic Products
Gold | Trex Eco-Friendly Composite Decking by Trex Company
Trex Eco-Friendly Composite Decking is a composite decking made from 95% recycled plastic film and reclaimed sawdust, delivering durable, low-maintenance, eco-friendly outdoor living. Manufactured in Winchester.
Silver | Ultimate Black Bear Trash Locks by Primary Solutions
Ultimate Black Bear Trash Locks are the only retrofit kit in the United States that can be added to a regular residential trash cart, making it Certified Black Bear Resistant, and installed in 30 seconds. Manufactured in Earlysville.
Bronze | Custom Trophy by Woodpecker Plaques & Crafts
The custom 1st Place acrylic trophy features layered fish artwork, bold colors, and engraved details. Manufactured in Hopewell.
Textile, Apparel, & Leather Products
Gold | Greenweaver Cap & Gown by Oak Hall
The Greenweaver Cap & Gown line is responsible for reclaiming over 200 million plastic bottles from landfills and converting them into graduation caps and gowns worn by graduates from across the United States. Manufactured in Salem.
Silver | SMARTChute by Butler Parachute Systems
SMARTChute is designed to provide an affordable, easy-to-use airdrop system for the delivery of general cargo, tactical supplies, disaster relief, and rescue equipment. Manufactured in Roanoke.
Bronze | SENTRY Gunnar Plate Carrier by Sentry Products Group
The SENTRY Gunnar Plate Carrier is designed to securely carry armor panels. It’s constructed of high-strength nylon laminate and features a durable, lightweight design with a patented 1080-2 mounting array. Manufactured in Virginia Beach.
Transportation Equipment
Gold | Virginia-Class Submarine (SSN 774) by Newport News Shipbuilding
This nuclear-powered attack submarine is built for the U.S. Navy and features advanced capabilities that enhance firepower, maneuverability, and stealth. Manufactured in Newport News.
Silver | LC3 Neutron Launch Mount by Rocket Lab
The LC3 Neutron Launch Mount is a 700+ lb. steel-ton, 30-foot-tall launch mount that uses hydraulics to support, hold, and release the Neutron rocket. The LC3 is Rocket Lab’s 4th launch pad. Manufactured in Wallops Island.
Bronze | Solar Pole by HAPCO
The Solar Pole is a state-of-the-art lighting solution that operates independently of the power grid using cylindrical solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity. Manufactured in Abingdon.
